Stronger gearboxes wanted, says Vettel

Published 9:04 am, Saturday, July 9, 2016

Photo: Luca Bruno

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Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third free practice at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2016. The British Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday July 10. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) less

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third free practice at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2016. The British Formula One Grand Prix will be ... more

Photo: Luca Bruno

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Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third free practice at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2016. The British Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday July 10. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) less

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third free practice at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2016. The British Formula One Grand Prix will be ... more

Photo: Luca Bruno

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Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third free practice at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2016. The British Formula One Grand Prix will be held on Sunday July 10. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) less

Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany steers his car during the third free practice at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Saturday, July 9, 2016. The British Formula One Grand Prix will be ... more

Photo: Luca Bruno

Stronger gearboxes wanted, says Vettel

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SILVERSTONE, England (AP) — Sebastian Vettel has told Ferrari it's time to build stronger gearboxes after another disappointing showing in qualifying for the British Grand Prix.

The four-time champion, who has been handed three five-place grid penalties for new gearboxes this season, said Saturday it was time the team fixed the problem.

Vettel and teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who was re-signed by Ferrari for 2017 on Friday, wound up fifth and sixth in qualifying before the German took his penalty. He will start from 11th on the grid in Sunday's race.

Vettel said: "I think the problem that we had yesterday, and today, it's a weakness and we need to stop it."

"You see other people crashing and they have to change it," said the German driver. "They are not made for crashing, if you see what I mean."

As Ferrari licked their wounds following an unimpressive showing, Raikkonen said he was happy to have disappointed his critics who had wanted him replaced by a younger driver.

The team confirmed he was staying for 2017 in an announcement made on Friday.

"It just makes it easier for us, with people not hassling us around these kind of things," said the Finn.

"Obviously I am very happy about it. It gives me pleasure to see disappointed people."